Transgenders to build temple for AP CM

Transgenders are building a temple for Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.

The shrine will have a 10-kg silver statue of Naidu.

State Tourism Minister Bhuma Akhila Priya performed bhumi puja for the temple in Nandyal town today.

The temple is being built as a token of gratitude to the Chief Minister for sanctioning a monthly pension of Rs 1500 to each transgender besides providing houses and ration cards, said the Bharata Jaateeya Hijra Hakkula Aikya Porata Sangham (Transgenders Rights United Struggle Committee).

The state government has also earmarked Rs 20 crore in the state budget for the welfare of transgenders.

The Sangham is building the temple at a cost of Rs 2 crore.

Sangham representatives met the chief minister here this evening and explained their plans.

"The chief minister gave the go ahead for the temple. We have also requested financial assistance from government for building the temple," sangham representatives later told reporters.

"No other government or chief minister cared for our rights as much as Naidu has. So, as (a token of) our gratitude, we have decided to build a temple for him. Our local MLA Bhuma Brahmananda Reddy, Minister Akhila Priya and others are supporting us," they added.